Reading this thread is very interesting. I think it is a bit lost on me since I really have almost no experience with puerh. I would love if people could direct me to threads or something that can help me get into the world of puerh.

Suteishi wrote: threads or something that can help me get into the world of puerh.

Might suggest starting with the wikipedia article on puerh--it's nicely done. Also, Pue-erh, a westerner's quest is frequently cited here and elsewhere as a good resource. And then, pick a couple of puerh vendors (check the nominees in the puerh vendor topic as well as the officially linked vendors, as this topic has not been updated for a very long time), order a bunch of small samples from a couple of vendors, and play with the teas, reporting back in this topic to get more feedback & suggestions.

I'm glad you asked; it is always a new learning for me.I had a long phone call with the seller who explained to me that " golden needle white lotus" did not exist back then, but to find a name for a 1970's tea that is similar to what is available today and after getting details from people who worked in Mehghai before. I asked why she had the guts to write the name of "Golden Needle White Lotus" on the invoice, knowing fully well that such a name does not exist for a 70's tea. She told me that she cannot describe it as "Gong Ting" because it is not, the tea that I purchased is termed Grade 1 tea back then. I can return the tea in exchange for something else, I guess this is another experience and I'll not shop there anymore.

Suteishi wrote: threads or something that can help me get into the world of puerh.

Might suggest starting with the wikipedia article on puerh--it's nicely done. Also, http://www.pu-erh.net/ Pue-erh, a westerner's quest is frequently cited here and elsewhere as a good resource. And then, pick a couple of puerh vendors (check the nominees in the http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=11929 puerh vendor topic as well as the officially linked vendors, as this topic has not been updated for a very long time), order a bunch of small samples from a couple of vendors, and play with the teas, reporting back in this topic to get more feedback & suggestions.

DarkenedSun wrote:Ok, These were a present so I have no idea what they are. Anyone wanna help me in identifying these tuocha? CNNP...?[/attachment]

They're tuocha from Xiaguan Tea Factory (下关茶厂 starting at the third character from the left on the bottom) . Beyond that, that's a very common wrapper style. A real wrapperologist might be able to tell you something, especially because of that stamp on the one on the left (which might say 'shu'?), but really, it's hard to tell exactly when this tea is from or how much it's worth based on the wrapper's appearance. There are teas that look this way which are worth $1-2 US at most, and others which could be worth somewhat more.

DarkenedSun wrote:Ok, These were a present so I have no idea what they are. Anyone wanna help me in identifying these tuocha? CNNP...?[/attachment]

They're tuocha from Xiaguan Tea Factory (下关茶厂 starting at the third character from the left on the bottom) . Beyond that, that's a very common wrapper style. A real wrapperologist might be able to tell you something, especially because of that stamp on the one on the left (which might say 'shu'?), but really, it's hard to tell exactly when this tea is from or how much it's worth based on the wrapper's appearance. There are teas that look this way which are worth $1-2 US at most, and others which could be worth somewhat more.

Well, I doubt they are worth a whole lot.... The person who gave them to me is not the richest person. At least I know where they are from... I was wondering...

I couldn't resist trying a 12th steep of the 2007 Douji Mu Ye Chun that I started a couple days back. I enjoyed the tea, and certainly not a bad experience for a $20 beeng.

I started in on a mini-brick of 2009 Douji Youle "virgin" material... I got it at 7.99 from DTH on eBay about a month ago, and noticed that they've changed the price since then to 12.99... it's always amusing when your purchase apparently makes a vendor realize, "Hey, this tea should cost a lot more...!"